Stratospheric Ozone
This layer of the atmosphere contains ozone that absorbs most harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
stratosphere
This natural process traps heat in Earth’s atmosphere and keeps the planet warm enough to support life.
greenhouse effect
This process occurs when the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, lowering the pH of seawater.
ocean acidification
This type of pollution comes directly from a single, identifiable source such as a factory smokestack or pipe.
point source pollution
This term describes the variety of life in a particular area, including species, genetic, and ecosystem diversity.
biodiversity
This type of ultraviolet radiation is partially absorbed by the ozone layer and can cause skin cancer and DNA damage.
UV-B radiation
This greenhouse gas is released mainly by burning fossil fuels and is the largest contributor to human-caused warming.
carbon dioxide (CO₂)
This climate phenomenon involves the warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean and can disrupt global weather patterns.
El Niño
This type of pollution comes from many diffuse sources, such as runoff from agriculture or urban areas.
nonpoint source pollution
This type of species has a disproportionately large impact on its ecosystem relative to its abundance.
keystone species
These human-made compounds, once used in refrigerants and aerosols, release chlorine atoms that destroy ozone.
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons)
This term describes the increase in Earth’s average temperature due to increased greenhouse gas concentrations.
global warming
This occurs when increased ocean temperatures cause corals to expel their symbiotic algae, often leading to coral death.
coral bleaching
These chemicals interfere with hormone systems in organisms, even at low concentrations.
endocrine disruptors
This conservation strategy involves protecting large areas of land and connecting habitats to allow species movement.
wildlife corridors (habitat corridors)
This international agreement, signed in 1987, successfully reduced the production of ozone-depleting substances.
Montreal Protocol
This positive feedback loop occurs when melting ice reduces Earth’s reflectivity, causing more heat to be absorbed.
albedo effect (ice-albedo feedback)
This large-scale ocean circulation system is driven by differences in temperature and salinity, helping regulate Earth’s climate.
thermohaline circulation
This air pollutant forms when nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in sunlight.
photochemical smog (ground-level ozone)
This type of species is at high risk of extinction in the near future across all or a significant portion of its range.
endangered species
This process occurs when UV radiation breaks apart CFCs, releasing chlorine atoms that repeatedly destroy ozone molecules.
photodissociation and catalytic ozone destruction
This measurement compares how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere relative to CO₂ over time.
global warming potential (GWP)
This climate impact results from melting land ice and the thermal expansion of seawater, leading to increased coastal flooding.
sea level rise
This toxic heavy metal accumulates in organisms and becomes more concentrated at higher trophic levels in a food chain.
biomagnification
This conservation approach focuses on protecting ecosystems and natural habitats rather than individual species.
ecosystem-based conservation